The Rankine Cycle in Action Reference Page
Boil, Expand, Condense, Repeat

Author

DOFPro group

  • Video links go directly to the YouTube video.
  • JTF (Just the Facts) videos are the streamlined versions: greenscreen LaTeX equations, clean graphics, minimal narrative. Think efficient and to the point. Each has a companion TFS video.
  • TFS (The Full Story) videos include interviews, additional explanation, and equations written on whiteboards. Same math, more context, more personality. Each has a matching JTF version.
  • Info Page links lead to definitions, expanded explanations, and related material—because sometimes you really do need to explain it.
  • Visuals links contain the greenscreen or whiteboard materials used in the video, for those who like to see the scaffolding.
  • Wondering about the titles? See Appendix B: If you have to explain it, it’s no longer funny.
  • Videos marked This is NOT a DOFPro video were not produced by DOFPro but are included because they are relevant to the topic. They are shown in red so no one calls the academic integrity police.

Intro to Boil, Expand, Condense, Repeat

The Rankine cycle is the thermodynamic cycle used in most steam power plants to convert heat into mechanical work and ultimately electricity.

Water is pumped to high pressure, heated in a boiler to produce steam, expanded through a turbine to generate work, and then condensed back into liquid water so the cycle can repeat.

Boil, Expand, Condense, Repeat: The Rankine Cycle in Action Part 1

This video introduces the ideal Rankine cycle and shows how the cycle is represented on thermodynamic diagrams.

Visuals

Boil, Expand, Condense, Repeat: The Rankine Cycle in Action Part 2

This video examines real Rankine cycles that include turbine and pump inefficiencies.

Visuals

Modeling the Rankine Cycle in DWSIM

This video demonstrates how to model the Rankine cycle using the DWSIM process simulator.

Examples and Definitions

Definitions

Rankine Cycle
A thermodynamic power cycle consisting of four main processes:
  1. Isentropic compression in a pump
  2. Isobaric heating in a boiler
  3. Isentropic expansion in a turbine
  4. Isobaric cooling and condensation in a condenser (appears isothermal on a T-S diagram)

The cycle typically involves phase changes during both heating and cooling.

Turbine
A mechanical device that produces work from a flowing or expanding fluid.

Turbine Efficiency

\[ \eta_\mathrm{turbine} = \frac{\dot W_\text{actual}} {\dot W_\text{isentropic}} \]

Pump
A device used to move liquids and increase their pressure.

Pump Efficiency

\[ \eta_\mathrm{pump} = \frac{\dot W_\text{isentropic}} {\dot W_\text{actual}} \]

Boiler
A large heat exchanger used to heat a fluid until it vaporizes, such as water to steam. The heat source may be combustion gases, nuclear energy, solar concentrators, or other thermal sources.
Condenser
A vessel used to condense vapor into liquid. In steam power plants this typically means condensing steam back into liquid water using cooling water or air.